Chapter 256: Destroying the Vision?

After accepting Gui Zhong's authority.

Luo De and Apep then visited two tombs of relatively powerful Archons from their past lives.

Counting the previous ones.

Just the Archons who died in battle controlling Geo element in Liyue already number ten.

Plus the Archons who control other elements.

The number will only be higher.

So many fallen Archons.

And beneath the Guyun Pavilion in Yunlai Sea, there are also many damaged Archons sealed there.

All of this indirectly reflects the severity of the battles in Liyue during the Archon War.

But thinking about it, it's also understandable.

With Zhongli's power as the oldest Archon.

He also fought for many years against the Dragon King of Ruotuo and numerous powerful adepts who could match Archons, before finally securing the Geo Archon's divine position.

"Alright, these are more or less enough."

Not counting the abilities recovered from the Geo Dragon Crown, Luo De has collected the abilities of three Archons in total.

Of course.

They're just fragments.

Even if the three Archons' abilities are stacked together, the boost they give Luo De hasn't reached the level of a meteoric rise.

The only benefit.

Is that Luo De has gained an innate affinity for Geo element.

But that's enough.

The true divine abilities combined with the Geo Dragon Crown's boost, plus Luo De's own control and accumulation of six elemental energies, have truly let him cross into the Archon level.

This was personally certified by Apep.

Regardless of whether Luo De is satisfied, she is satisfied anyway.

Luo De doesn't know what kind of dragon king the Nibelung Dragon King that she often mentions is, nor does he understand what exactly the shadow of the Nibelung Dragon King on Apep's body refers to.

After that frank discussion in Gui Zhong's tomb.

Luo De's guard against Apep has lowered considerably; although they still don't fully trust each other, at least they no longer constantly speculate what she's up to.

"What does 'enough' mean?"

After the frank talk, Luo De and Apep's conversation became much more relaxed.

"It means that with your current strength, you can only digest this much ability."

Apep snorted, then mercilessly struck Luo De: "Do you think that just because I praised you a bit, you're actually strong enough to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with those seven guys?"

The "those seven guys" she mentioned.

Refers to the Seven Sovereigns who hold dominion over the seven elements of Teyvat.

"I didn't mean that."

This out-of-the-blue personal attack left Luo De laughing and crying: "I really don't know what you mean by 'enough'; that's why I asked you."

"Oh."

"Like that."

Apep showed no sign of apology for her earlier misunderstanding of Luo De, instead continuing to mercilessly criticize: "Your foundation is excellent, but your basics are too weak; you have a huge amount of elemental energy, but you use it crudely, completely mismatching this solid foundation of yours."

"I know."

There's nothing to argue about that.

Luo De knows his own problem better than anyone.

Moreover, this isn't the first time someone has pointed this out.

Earlier, in the Chasm, Tartaglia had said so.

Luo De's strength lies in his terrifying reserve of elemental energy.

With the same consumption, Luo De can use elemental energy attacks several times, even over ten times more than a normal Vision holder.

Likewise.

When making a single attack, Luo De can instantly unleash a terrifying attack that opponents struggle to block, thanks to his elemental energy reserve, and can sustain it continuously.

Based on Tartaglia and Luo De's combat experience.

He believes that if he doesn't use the Demon King Armor, he'll likely be instantly killed by Luo De upon meeting.

Even if the Demon King Armor can withstand Luo De's frontal attack.

In terms of endurance, it's not as good as Luo De's own strength.

But these advantages can't hide Luo De's problem.

Still that same saying.

His use of elemental energy isn't refined enough; it's just brute force bullying.

"'Speaking solely of elemental energy, I'm not your opponent.'"

"'Speaking solely of techniques, I could take down two of you.'"

This is Tartaglia's evaluation of Luo De.

Apep is now saying the same problem.

Luo De's development of elemental energy is still insufficient, far from matching his abnormal elemental energy reserve.

The solution to this.

The simplest and crudest method is elemental abilities.

Such as the Dust God's authority of Return to End.

After mastering this authority, Luo De can naturally unleash the Return to End's shrouding black dust.

This ability seems useless.

Yet in practical application it is sufficient to completely obscure the opponent's vision, conceal one's own form within it, and, combined with other elemental energy, produce unexpected effects.

This is an elemental energy development that requires no brainpower.

Therefore, for Luo De now, this authority can be described as adding wings to a tiger.

Now he holds two authorities in his hand.

One is this Rock Element Authority Fragment.

One is the portion of the Dendro Archon's authority that Nadixa gave him, not that dream's authority, but a special Grass Element authority similar to the Dust God's authority; it does not belong to Luo De himself, but it is also a considerable aid.

Coincidentally.

These two authorities are elemental energy that Luo De can use without needing a Vision.

No Vision restriction.

Luo De's use of it can be described as being adept, with no hesitation.

The only drawback.

That is, the Dendro Archon's authority is not his own; when using it, it's always like seeing flowers through mist—usable but not fully usable, and compared to this Rock Element authority that wholly belongs to him, there is no comparison in comfort.

And what makes Luo De even more concerned.

It is what she said when parting with Apep.

'The essence of a Vision is the materialization of elemental authority fragments.'

This seems like an offhand remark.

But Apep has said this more than once along the way.

Even if Luo De doesn't want to think too much about it, he cannot help but ponder deeply what this statement actually means.

"The essence of a Vision is the materialization of elemental authority fragments."

Sitting on the stone chair of the Jade Void Immortal Mansion, Luo De played with the four Visions in his hand, rereading Apep's words.

After Apep left.

He did not return to Liyue Harbor, but came to the Jade Void Immortal Mansion.

Usually, when he doesn't come here, this place is very quiet.

After becoming accustomed.

Luo De then regarded this place as a good spot to relax his mood.

Today is no different.

Originally he had prepared to come and finish the last component of the Floating Refuge Body, before the divine position handover, to see if he could complete his contract with Zhongli.

But his condition today is very poor.

He doesn't know why.

Every time he begins carving, he recalls Apep's words.

After several consecutive failures.

He simply stopped his hands and seriously pondered what the statement 'A Vision is the materialization of elemental authority fragments' actually means.

However, the hints are already this obvious.

Luo De actually already had the answer in his heart.

But he never dared to confirm that answer, which is why he feels so uneasy. 'A Vision is the materialization of authority fragments.'

'If one were to destroy it, theoretically one could control the elemental authority within that was issued by the Seven Archons of the Mundane World?'

This is the answer Luo De derived from Apep's words.

According to this answer.

Luo De actually already possesses six elemental authorities in effect.

Only four of them are temporarily sealed, so he cannot use them.

"Grass Element Divine Eye."

This sentence also reminded Luo De of his own shattered Grass Element Divine Eye.

If this theory is correct.

Then when Luo De's Grass Element Divine Eye shattered, he should have been able to grasp a certain Grass Element authority.

But the problem lies in.

Whether then or now, Luo De has no feeling of controlling any Grass Element authority.

'Did Apep deceive me?'

Luo De stopped his hand movements and carefully examined the Visions of various colors in his hand.

'That shouldn't be.'

Luo De quickly dismissed that thought.

There's no need for that.

The elemental authority fragments within a Vision are likely weaker than those recovered from Hewuliya.

Considering Apep's disdainful attitude toward Hewuliya.

She fundamentally had no need to deceive Luo De on this matter, making him want to destroy all the Visions in his hand.

'Could it be that the elemental authority inside is too weak?'

Luo De stroked his chin, considering another possibility.

But this possibility was also rejected by him.

Because when the fragments of Hewuliya's ability passed through his body, he nevertheless felt a sudden change in his affinity for the Geo element.

It's unreasonable that he would feel nothing at all from the Grass element ability.

Unless... 'Unless I already have this ability.'

Luo De thought of a third possibility.

That is, when the Grass Element Divine Eye shattered, he had actually already obtained a certain Grass element ability, so when the Vision shattered and released the elemental power inside, it naturally merged with that ability.

This is really...

Hard to say.

The more Luo De thought about it, the more he felt it might really be like that.

He originally had myriad connections with the Flower God who once shared abilities with the Dendro Archon, and before his Vision shattered he also became related to the previous Dendro Archon, the Great Merciful Tree King; perhaps when the Great Merciful Tree King was nurtured at the Oasis Source, his Vision also resonated with Apep's elemental energy.

There were so many twists and turns in between.

It's really hard to say whether some step went wrong.

"Could this elemental ability have already become my instinct? That's why I feel nothing at all."

Luo De again had a guess that felt quite reliable to himself.

But his guesses have been overturned too many times recently.

He really dare not jump to any more conclusions.

So he sent a message to Nadixa, directly asking her this question.

Whether he had ever mastered any ability unique to the Dendro Archon.

Asking Nadixa, who holds the Dendro Archon's position, was naturally the most appropriate.

He didn't make Luo De wait long.

Nadixa's reply came.

It was just a single word.

Yes.

This reply made Luo De's mouth twitch involuntarily.

Before he could ask further

Nadixa's voice then sounded again: "You haven't noticed? Didn't they tell you?"

"Who told me?"

Luo De replied, completely bewildered.

"The Grass Dragon, the Great Merciful Tree King."

Nadixa's voice stalled.

They were separated by thousands of kilometers.

Luo De could still feel the awkward atmosphere on her side.

After a while.

Nadixa then spoke again: "During that time you weren't really with me, nor did you come to ask me about this; I thought Apep and the Great Merciful Tree King had already told you about it."

"When?"

"When the Great Merciful Tree King broke out of his cocoon and was reborn."

"Really indeed"

Luo De then asked: "What ability do I wield? Why do I feel nothing at all?"

"Oasis Source."

"Your ability does not come from us, but from the Grass Dragon."

Nadixa was also guessing: "Oasis Source and grass elemental ability are very similar; you probably just didn't pay special attention to this, huh, you haven't used grass elemental energy lately, have you?"

"I have used it."

Upon hearing the four words "Oasis Source," Luo De frowned and said something, and then his expression suddenly froze.

After the Great Merciful Tree King's floating life, the situation in Sumeru basically stabilized.

Luo De also didn't encounter any worthy opponents anymore.

With his laziness acting up, he was idle all day, needing no fights and having nothing to do; most of the time he was dealing with Mondstadt and Snezhnaya people, later when he went to Liyue he spent all day circling around Zhongli, the only place he ever got into a fight was the Chasm.

And it was precisely then, in the Chasm.

Luo De discovered that his grass elemental energy flowed unusually smoothly, unaffected by the shortage of grass elemental energy underground in the Chasm, basically reaching the point of being able to use it at will, far stronger than when he had a Vision before—who knows how many times stronger.

At that time he still thought it was because he had freed himself from the shackles imposed by the Vision, bringing benefits.

But after Nadixa said that.

Luo De realized.

The reason his grass elemental energy flows so smoothly is not at all because he no longer needs the Vision.

But because when his Vision shattered, he obtained from Apep the unique Oasis Source ability.

"I understand."

Having received a clear answer, Luo De no longer dwelled on it and turned to ask about the recent situation in Sumeru.

Previously, Tighnari and Cyno had once told him about it.

Because Apep's capricious operation without prior notice, the already busy Hope City was thrown into such chaos that even the Dendro Archon couldn't find peace.

At this critical juncture.

In order to uphold the agreement with Snezhnaya, Nadixa also diverted not-enough personnel to the Liyue side.

When he found out about this.

Luo De then contacted Nadixa several times, confirming a rough overview of Sumeru's recent situation.

All things considered.

It's indeed busy and chaotic, but fortunately the Great Merciful Tree King's assistance from the side, the appearance of this deceased deity—although she hasn't publicly acknowledged her identity yet—is already enough to make those who previously only paid lip service to Nadixa's orders, part of the Academy, able to follow orders strictly.

As for the desert people who are indifferent to the appearance of the Great Merciful Tree King, under the threat of being punished by the Red King Divine Envoy if they disobey and under the strict control of the ruthless Lahman, even the most stubborn desert folk will become as obedient as a tame kitten, daring not to show the slightest defiance.

While enforcing orders, they dare not resist.

It's a bit tiring.

At least the normal construction work can still proceed normally.

As long as there are no leaks in these matters, there's no big problem.

After asking these.

Luo De hung up the call with relief, then he licked his lips and stared intently at the Vision in his hand.

He wanted to try.

He wondered whether, on his own, he could destroy the construct of this Sky Island.

(End of chapter)